v SUVA Women's Austin Hooper Jersey , Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- Fiji and India on Wednesday agreed on deepening ties during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official visit to the South Pacific island country, where nearly 40 percent of the total population are of Indian descent.

A large crowd gathered at Suva's Albert Park on Wednesday morning to witness the traditional welcome ceremony prepared by the Fijian government to welcome Modi, the second Indian prime minister to visit Fiji since Indira Gandhi's trip in 1981.

Modi, who arrived in his official car, waved to the crowd before attending the ceremony, where he was met by Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and his wife Mary.

The two prime ministers then held a meeting in Suva, where they witnessed the signing of three memorandums of understanding between the two governments.

"Today we sign three memorandums of understanding on the exchange of land for a new chancery building in New Delhi Women's Deion Jones Jersey , on diplomatic exchanges that will allow Fijian diplomats to train at the Indian government Foreign Service Institute, and on project financing for electricity and co-generation plant funded from Exim Bank of India," Bainimarama said.

"This is only the beginning. We have some 15 more agreements in the works and we expect to sign them soon on agriculture, health, trade, water sports and other areas of development," he added.

Modi said the relationship between the two countries should be stronger.

"India will remain a committed development partner for Fiji. I thanked him (Bainimarama) for his support on India's new assistance projects in Fiji. These include: a parliament library; a fund of 5 million U.S. dollars to promote small business and village enterprises in Fiji Women's Keanu Neal Jersey , a line of credit 70 million U.S. dollars for a co-generation power plant; and, doubling the scholarships and training slots in India for Fiji," Modi said.

In other areas such as tourism, cultural exchanges and defense, Modi said "We will do more ... I am happy to announce visa on arrival for Fijians."

"We agreed to consult more closely on international issues of mutual interest, including international trade, climate change Women's Sean Harlow Jersey , United Nations Peacekeeping and UN reforms ... We will also expand our defense and security cooperation, including assistance in defense training and capacity building," Modi said.

"India and Fiji feel the impact of climate change. We are also prepared to increase cooperation in renewable energy, especially solar and wind energy, and in building capacity to adapt to climate change," the Indian prime minister said, "In addition Women's Duke Riley Jersey , we could share our experience and expertise in disaster management and response."

"I am confident that this visit, especially my meeting with Prime Minister Bainimarama, will mark the start of a new era in India-Fiji relations," Modi told reporters.

Modi attended a special sitting of Fiji's unicameral parliament, where Bainimarama thanked Fijians of Indian descent for the contribution they made towards Fiji's development, underscoring that every Fijian has the right to equal representation in parliament.

Located at the center of the southwest Pacific Ocean, Fiji became a British colony in 1874. From 1879 to 1916 Women's Takkarist McKinley Jersey , British colonizers shipped a total of some 60,000 indentured workers from India to Fiji, and made those Asians work at sugarcane plantations and other places. During that period, a part of the indentured workers chose to return to India, while others decided to stay, calling Fiji home and sharing the island country with the indigenous Melanesian people.

Fiji's 2007 census showed that of the total population of 837, 271 people Women's Isaiah Oliver Jersey , 313,798 were of Indian descent. " Royal watchers were scrutinising the duchess of Cambridge on her New Zealand tour Sunday, after husband Prince William appeared to hint a second baby is on the way.

Kate, however, looked to dampen the speculation by drinking wine and going on a jet boat ride, neither of which are recommended for pregnant women.

The royals' eight-month-old son Prince George, third in line to the British throne Women's Calvin Ridley Jersey , has been the star of their New Zealand tour so far.

But William suggested during a walkabout in the North Island town of Cambridge there may soon be another royal baby to share the spotlight.

During a meeting with Cynthia Read, who knitted the merino wool shawl which was New Zealand's official gift when George was born, William said according to several reports: ""You might have to make another one soon!""

Read, who emigrated to New Zealand from England eight years ago, was convinced the prince was serious.

""The way William said it was like he was dropping a hint, letting me in on a secret,"" she told reporters Women's Vic Beasley Jr Jersey , adding the duchess said they were delighted with the first shawl ""and George wore it a lot"".

Kate was also seen to be sipping water during an evening state reception for the couple on Thursday, fuelling media speculation of a second pregnancy.

During a visit to a vineyard in the acclaimed wine-producing area of Queenstown on Sunday there was intense interest in whether Kate would indulge in a drop or two.

Central Otago Pinot Noir Ltd chairwoman Lucie Lawrence, who escorted the duchess at Amisfield Winery, said she had ""six or seven"" tastes.